Google Latitude Arrives on iPhone as Web App

Google Latitude, the "where am I? where are my friends?" geolocation service tied to Google Maps, has come to the iPhone. However, the service isn't part of Google's Maps service; instead, it's a separate Web app. Get ready for "teleporting" friends.

Google Latitude, the "where am I? where are my friends?" geolocation service tied to Google Maps, has come to the iPhone. However, the service isn't part of Google's Maps service; instead, it's a separate Web app.

The reason? Possible confusion with the Apple Maps app, according to Mat Balez, a product manager with the Google Mobile team.

"We worked closely with Apple to bring Latitude to the iPhone in a way
Apple thought would be best for iPhone users," Balez wrote in a blog post. "After we developed a
Latitude application for the iPhone, Apple requested we release
Latitude as a web application in order to avoid confusion with Maps on
the iPhone, which uses Google to serve maps tiles. "

What does this mean? Well, unfortunately, unlike Latitude for Android phones or other platforms, the web app can't run in the background. What this means is that it will only update when it is in focus, or being actively used. In practice, I assume that means that iPhone Latitude users will "teleport" from place to place, depending on when they switch back and forth into Latitude.

All of the functionality "you might expect" is there, according to Balez: privacy, as well as some search and directions. For now, it's available in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and
New Zealand.Originally posted to AppScout.Back to top